Method of and apparatus for spraying insecticides



Feb. 5, 1935. A. A. BREUER 1,990,165

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING INSECTICIDES 1 Filed Dec. 9, 1933 2Sheets-Sheet 1 may 7/6 Feb. 5, 1935. A. A. BREUER I 1,990,165

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING INSECTICIDES I Filed Dec? 9, 1933 2SheetS-Sheet 2 Patented F ch. 5, 1935 PATENT OFFICE METHOD or ANDAPPARATUS FOR SPRAY- 4 ma mssc'ncmss Adam A. Breuer, Chicago, Ill.Application December 9, 1938, Serial No. 701,617

4Claims.

This invention has to do with a method of and apparatus for sprayinginsecticides, and contemplates a novel apparatus for creating spray bycompression, and a novel method of compres sion spraying wherein theheat generated by com-' pression is utilized to warm the insecticideprior to its discharge to the atmosphere.

The apparatus of the present invention will herein be described aspreferably a small, comrpact portable unit which may be held in the handof an operator or may be put on a support, such asa floor, table, shelfor the like, during use.

An object of the present invention is to provide a compact, readilyportable and usable sprayer, which will discharge liquid by compressoraction, in the form of a flne mist.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a portable handsprayer wherein liquid is discharged by compressor action. a

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus having acompressor chamber into which the liquid is admitted and from which theliquid is discharged to the atmosphere in the form of a spray or mist.

A still further object of the'invention is to provide a novel method ofmixing fluid, such as insecticides, deodorants, and the like, with air,compressing the mixture and utilizing the heat generated by compressionfor warming the mixture.

Another and further object of the invention has to do with a novelmethod of compressing a mixture of air and fluid, such as insecticidesor the like, for spray discharge, in such manner that the heat absorbedby the compressor walls during the compression of the mixture, isutilized for warming the mixture prior to its discharge to theatmosphere.

The invention further contemplates the use of a compressor including achamber with compressor means therein, for compressing and dischargingtherefrom, air and liquid delivered to such chamber.

The invention also contemplates the delivery of fluid to a chamberwherein such fluid is dis charged as a spray, with compressor action.

Generally speaking, the apparatus of the present invention contemplatesa unit, consisting of motor, motor casing, compressor and liquidcontainer, all axially arranged in compact, readily usable form.

The invention further contemplates an apparatus having a compressorchamber, with means for delivering to such chamber the contents of theliquid container wherein such liquid is dis;

charged from the chamber with compressor action.

The invention further contemplates the provision of timer actuated meanswhereby the apparatus may be set to operate for any predetermined lengthof time, and, at the expiration of such time, action automaticallyceases.

The above, other and further objects of the invention will be apparentfrom the following'description, accompanying drawings and appendedclaims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a-sprayer, constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention, and with whichthe method of the present invention may be practiced, and the viewsthereof are as follows:

Figure 1 is a central, vertical sectional view through a sprayer unitconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention,showing in elevation the handle and the casing for the timer mechanism.a

Figure 2 is an enlarged, horizontal, sectionalview taken substantiallyin the plane indicated-by the line IIII of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the timer mechanism, showing the snapswitch for controlling operation of the motor, and in full lines showingthe parts in ofi position.

- Figure 4 is a top plan view of the clock mechanism utilized herein foroperating the timer mechanism of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a view, partially in elevation and partially in section, ofcertain details of the timer mechanism.

Figure 6 is a view, partially in elevation, and partially in section, ofanother part of the timer mechanism.

Figure 7 is an axial sectional view through certain portions of thetimer meclfanism of the present invention.

The drawings will now be explained.

The apparatus of the present invention is exemplified as embodying amotor casing A, a compressor casing B, and means, designated C, forremovably supporting a fluid container D in position. The parts A, B, C,and D are so arranged as to lie in axially vertical alignment, to insurecompactness and ready portability, and convenience in use.

To the motor casing A is attached a housing, or casing 1, for the timermechanism, and integrally connected with such housing is a handle 2,through which are passed electrical conductors 3a to the switchmechanism within the housing 1.

the motor 3 is provided with the usual motor the compressor housing B.

The compressor housing is provided with a compressor chamber E, which isillustrated as formed surrounded by a cast iron bushing '7, about whichthe compressor casing B is cast. The lower end of the motor shaft 4extends into the compressor chamber E where the lower end is slotted at8 to engage a pin 9 in a rotor 10. The rotor consists of a cylindricalmember having a bore through it to receive the motor shaft 4 and throughwhich bore the pin 9 extends for cooperating with the slotted end 8 ofthe shaft. The engagement of the slotted end of the motor shaft with thepin in the rotor 10 serves as a driving connection between the motor andthe rotor.

The rotor is provided with a plurality of vertically disposed slots 11,of which three are shown, which intersect radii of the rotor and extendinwardly from the surface of the rotor to points near the rotor center.In these slots are vanes 12 for movement outwardly under centrifugalaction, and the outer ends of which vanes are curved to conform with thecontour of the inner surface of the bushing '7 of the compressorchamber. These vanes or blades move outwardly under centrifugal actionwhenever the rotor is rotated by the motor and move inwardly as theblades approach that portion of the motor chamber which is substantiallyin contact with a portion of the side surface of the rotor.

The rotor is mounted eccentrically with respect to, the center of thecompressor chamber as is well understood in compressors of the typeilustrated.

Preferably, the compressor chamber E is somewhat elliptical in outlinewith the rotor eccentrically arranged. I

The bottom of the compressor chamber E is formed by a plate 13 which isbolted against the bottom of such chamber by suitable bolts extendinginto the compressor casing or casting 2B. Bolted to the underside of theplate 13, by bolts 14, is a. threaded cap 15 adapted tothreadedlyreceive the threaded neck 16 of the liquid container D.

Extending through a part of the compressor casing 13 and the bushing "l,is a duct 1'7 forming the air inlet for the compressor chamber E. A pipe18 extends through suitable openings in the cap 15 and plate 13, andenters the duct 17 outwardly of the bushing 7, for supplying fluidcontents of the container D to the duct. The outer end of the duct isenlarged and threaded to receive air inlet nipple 19 which has lateralopenings 20 in it and a screw 21 threaded in its end for regulating airpassage through the openings 20. A knurled end 22 is applied to thescrew 21 for ease in manipulation of the same.

Another duct 23, constituting the discharge duct, is formed in thebushing '1 and extends through a part of the compressor casing 13 andterminates in an enlarged threaded opening 24, into which is threaded apart 25 of a discharge nozzle.

The discharge nozzle comprises the part 25 and a swivel end portion 26which is connected to the part 25 by means of a bolt 2'7 so that thepart 26 may be swung about the bolt as an axis, to discharge in variousangular directions, with respect to the axis of the sprayer. Theextremity of the part 26 is provided with a tip 28 for form-- ing thesprayer e of the mixture discharged from the compressor chamber E as theapparatus is used.

Whenever the motor 3 is actuated, the rotor 10 is rotated and the airpassing into the compressor chamber E is compressed and dischargedthrough the tip 28 of the nozzle, carrying with it some of the fluidwhich is drawn into the compressor chamber E through the pipe 18. Duringsuch compression of the air, heat is generated, which heat is absorbedby the metal of the compressor chamber. The inflowing fluid from thecontainer D absorbs some of such heat, thus tending to cool thecompressor chamber and in turn becomes warmed by such heat so that thedischarged mixture issuing from the tip 28 of the nozzle, is heated tosome extent. This feature is important in connection with the use ofinsecticides, as it has been found that if the insecticide is heated tosome extent, its killing power is increased many fold.

In order that the sprayer may be actuated for any predetermined lengthof time, without requiring the attention of an operator, there isprovided timer mechanism which may be set at any predetermined length oftime, within the limits rotated to wind the clock mechanism.

Theclock mechanism is carried between two plates 36 and 3'! connectedtogether by suitable pillars 38.

A sleeve 39 surrounds the spindle 33, and extends through an opening inthe back plate 37 where an arm 40 is secured to the sleeve outwardly ofthe back plate 37. Formed as a part of the sleeve 39 is a ratchet 41.Rotatably mounted on the sleeve 39, behind the ratchet 41, is a bullwheel 42, having ratchet teeth 43 in its periphery for meshing with agear 44 carried on a'shaft 45.

A coiled spring 46 is connected at its inner end to the sleeve 39, andat its outer end is attached to a post 47 connectedto the front and backwalls 36 and 37. Attached to the bull wheel 42, on'

pin 31 which is carried by the arm 32, under certain conditions.

In order to limit the movement of the arms 32 and 40, in clockwisedirection, as observed in Figs. 3 and 5, a stop pin 53 is provided.

The arm 32 is fastened or, otherwise secured to the shaft 33 while thearm 40 is secured to the sleeve 39.

To set the clock mechanism for closing the snap switch 29 to establishelectrical connection with the motor. and also to set the clockmechanism in operation, the handle is given a movement in clockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 1, to bring its pointer 35a over theselected indicia 52 for the desired time of operation. Suppose, forinstance, it is desired to operate the clock mechanism for ten minutes,whereupon the lever is moved so that its pointer overlies the figure 10.Such movement swings the arms 32. and 40, in counterclockwise direction,as viewed in Figs. 3 and 5, to move the snap switch lever 30 from the OEposition, which is the full line position of Fig. 3, to the on position,which is the dotted line position there shown, whereupon pressure on thehandle is released. Operation of the handle in the manner describedrotates thesleeve 39 in a direction to wind up the spring 46 so thatwhen pressure on the handle 35 is released, the spring then becomeseffective to set in operation, the clock mechanism. As the clockmechanism operates, the engagement of the pawls 49 on the bull wheel 42with the ratchet 41, rotates the bull wheel, in counterclockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. 6, slowly, which rotates the sleeve 39 andits attached arm 40, in clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5.Engagement of the extremity a of the arm 40 engages the pin 31 to movethe pin with it and thus the lever 30 of the snap switch is movedgradually from on position to off position. When the bull wheel has beenmoved the length of time determined by the setting of the handle 35, thelever 30 has been moved to off position and the electrical circuit tothe motor opened, thus stopping operation of the motor.

It may sometimes happen that the operator may desire to stop the motorin a shorter length of time than that for which the clock mechanism isset. This may be accomplished by manually turning the handle 35 incounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig.1. Turning the handle inthis manner causes rotation of the spindle 33 and with it its arm 32.The fact that the arm 32 carries the pin 31, which engages the lever 30of the snap switch, will move the snap switch to ofi position eventhough the clock mechanism be still operating. This is an importantfeature as often times, for some reason, it is desired to stop theoperation of the sprayer before the time arrives for cessation thereofby the clock mechanism.

When the handle 35 is actuated to set the clock mechanism, the arms 32and 40 are, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 5, moved in counterclockwisedirection, a distance commensurate with the movement of the handle 35,in clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig; 1. When such movement is inexcess of a 10 or 15-minute setting, the pin 31, carried by the arm 32,will leave the bifurcated lever 30. However, as the arms 32 and 40' aremoved by means of the operation of the clock mechanism in a direction toopen the switch, the pin will eventually enter the bifurcated lever 30and move it to open position.

The rotor 10 rotates in counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2.r

The fluid within the container D is, when the apparatus is working,drawn through the pipe 18 into the compressor chamber E and there mixedwith the air drawn in through the nipple 19. The air is compressed andthe air and fluid mixture discharged to the atmosphere from the chamberE.

The quantity of air admitted regulates the character of the spraydischarge; that is to say,

when the inlets 20 are closed by the screw 21, only 'consistency may beefiected.

The more air that is admitted in the air stream causes creation ofsmaller droplets in the spray, while less air admitted causes thecreation of larger droplets. The smaller droplets are utilized inkilling flying insects such as flies, while the larger droplets arebetter for killing crawling insects such as roaches, bugs and the like.It will be observed that the size of the liquid droplets may be readilyvaried by varying the amount of air supplied in the air stream admittedto the compressor.

An advantage is derived by use of the angularly adjustable dischargenozzle, in that the sprayer may be placed in any convenient position andthe nozzle inclined to direct the spray discharge in direction mostadvantageous for the work: at the moment. This feature is useful whenthe sprayer is used for fumigation or disinfection purposes, as thenozzle may be so positioned as not to direct the spray, against anythingthat thereby might be damaged.

Construction of the timer and switch mechanism, whereby the motor may becut out of circuit, manually, while the clock is running, has itsadvantages. For'instance, it might be desirable to move the sprayer fromone room to another, while the clock is running. The switch may beopened, the sprayer moved to another place of use, and the handle 35actuated to close the switch and thus return the later opening of theswitch to the clock mechanism.

The term insecticide is used generically in the claims and not by way oflimitation, and includes all fluids of such'characteristics as willreadily atoniize.

The contour of the compressor chamber walls, as fashioned, is such thatthe portion of the wall contacted by the rotor 10, between the outletand inlet, in the direction of rotation of the rotor, which iscounterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 2, is arcuate, so that there isbodily engagement of the rotor against such part of the wall.

For the purpose of clarity, the angular arrangement of the inlet andoutlet of Figure 1, is shown difi'erently from what it actually is, asillustrated in Figure 2.

' The invention has been described herein more or less precisely as todetails, yet it is to be understood that the invention is not to belimited thereby, as changes may be made in the arrangement andproportion of parts and equivalents may be substituted without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. An insecticide sprayer of the air compressor type, including incombination a motor casing, a compressor casing providing a compressorchamber, and a fluid container receiving means in vertical axialalignment with the motor casing and therebeneath, a container for liquidremovably supported by said container receiving means, an electric motorin said motor casing and compressor means in said compressor chamber,connections between the motor and said compressor means for operatingthe latter, air inlet means to said compressor chamber, means providingfluid communication between the interior of said container and said airinlet means prior to entrance of air into said compressor chamber, meansfor directing air and fluid from said compressor chamber, and means forregulating the amount of air delivered tosaid chamber by said air inletmeans.

2. An insecticide sprayer of the air compressor type, including incombination, means providing a compressing chamber, compressor means insaid chamber, means for supplying air to said chamber, discharge meanscommunicating with said chamber, means providing fluid entry into saidair supply means prior to the entry of air into said chamber wherebysaid fluid is drawn into said air supply solely by suction, and meansfor regulating at will the amount of air delivered to said chamber bysaid air supply means. I

3. In a method of killing insects in a closed space such as a room, thesteps of mixing air and undiluted liquid insecticide at roomtemperature, thereafter delivering such mixture into a compressorchamber and therein mechanically compressing the air to atomize and heatthe liquid insecticide, and then by the compressed air projecting theatomized insecticide into the atmosphere. 1

4. In a method of killing insects in an enclosed space such as a room,the steps of, confining and continuously moving a stream of air,injecting liquid insecticide at room temperature into said moving airstream prior to air compression, and thereafter compressing the air toatomize and heat the insecticide and discharge it to the atmosphere intheform of spray.

ADAM A. BREUER.

